Baby Born With Microcephaly in Costa Rica Due to Zika

Costa Rica News – Costa Rica has sadly had to confirm its first case of microcephaly associated with the Zika virus.

The baby boy’s mother is from Nicaragua, where it is believed she contracted the virus.

Her son was born on Thursday with a very small head, 29 centimeters whereas the normal size is 35 centimeters. The mom had at least three prenatal visits and an ultrasound and the child will be seen at the Children’s Hospital in the coming days to rule out other viruses that could have provoked the condition.

The baby boy is in stable condition. He breastfeeds and breathes without difficulty.

He was discharged at 5 days old and stays at home with his mother in Tibas.

Around 30 children per year are born in Costa Rica with microcephaly but it has so far been associated with causes other than zika virus.

Two weeks ago the first case of Guillain-Barre syndrome associated with zika was confirmed by the Ministry of Health. This was found in a 14 year old.